The Dodgers are now the team in hottest pursuit of Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen, according to major-league sources, but the situation remains fluid.
The Brewers had been the front-runner, but their talks with the Cardinals cooled early Tuesday and appear unlikely to revive.
The Cardinals' preference is to trade Rolen out of the division. The Dodgers are seeking an upgrade at third base, but likely would want the Cardinals to assume a portion of the $33 million remaining on Rolen's contract.
Rolen had a strained relationship with Larry Bowa, the Dodgers' new third-base coach, when Bowa was the Phillies' manager and Rolen was the team's third baseman. However, the presence of Bowa on the Dodgers' staff would not prevent Rolen from approving a deal to Los Angeles, sources say.
Several other teams also are interested in Rolen, including the Angels, who failed in their efforts to acquire Miguel Cabrera from the Marlins.
Around the Horn
The A's make no secret that they're asking a high price for right-hander Dan Haren, but they did not scare off the Diamondbacks with their initial request in a meeting on Monday night, as suggested in an earlier report. The A's are in no hurry to move Haren, but will continue engaging in conversation with interested clubs. The Diamondbacks are deep enough in young talent to entice the A's.The Cubs aren't close to trading right-hander Mark Prior; their talks with the Padres have cooled, and other clubs remain on the periphery. Prior might be a decent gamble for a team that can afford to wait for his recovery from shoulder surgery; he is expected to be out until at least May. He also could become a free agent if the Cubs decline to offer him a contract. The best move for Prior might be to re-sign with the Cubs, accepting an incentive-laden deal with an option for 2009.The Rangers offered free-agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins a one-year contract with a club option for a second season, but Hawkins is looking for at least a two-year deal. Hawkins is also drawing interest from several other clubs, including the Yankees and Tigers. The Yankees continue to pursue several free-agent relievers, including lefty Ron Mahay. They have also offered salary arbitration to righty Luis Vizcaino.The Blue Jays are willing to trade outfielder Alex Rios in a deal for a premium starting pitcher and have talked to the Giants about Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. The Giants are reluctant to move either pitcher, but would consider a hitter such as Rios, who is three years away from free agency.If the Jays traded Rios, they likely would go with Adam Lind in left field and a platoon of Reed Johnson and Matt Stairs in right. Some Jays officials believe that Lind would bat .270 with 20-25 home runs if he were given 500 at-bats.
The chances of the Jays trading for Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard, a native of Canada, are extremely remote. The Orioles are unlikely to trade Bedard within the division, and the Jays cannot offer a strong enough package of prospects for the pitcher.
The Jays also are listening to offers for right-hander A.J. Burnett, but ideally they would add a pitcher such as Cain or Lincecum to a rotation headed by Burnett and Roy Halladay.
The Nationals, after trading Brian Schneider to the Mets, could end up with the Mets' former catcher — free agent Paul Lo Duca. The Nats are considering several options at catcher, but Lo Duca is thought to be near the top or at the top of their list.The Royals continue to be active on the free-agent market, contacting the agent for lefty reliever Ron Mahay shortly after reaching terms with outfielder Jose Guillen on Monday night. Mahay, 36, is also drawing interest from the Yankees, Giants and Astros. The chances that the Yankees sign Mahay would increase if they fail to land Johan Santana and decide to fortify their bullpen. The Royals currently have three left-handed relievers, but could trade Jimmy Gobble.The Nationals continue to drive a hard bargain for closer Chad Cordero. The Brewers said no to the Nats' request for second baseman Rickie Weeks, and the Astros were equally dismissive when the Nats asked for reliever Chad Qualls and outfielder Luke Scott.The Orioles, among the busiest talkers at these meetings, continue to signal that they are trying to trade catcher Ramon Hernandez. They are interested in Michael Barrett as a free agent and want either Jeff Mathis or Mike Napoli as well as pitching if they trade shortstop Miguel Tejada to the Angels, according to sources.The Royals' preliminary agreement with Jose Guillen on a three-year, $36 million contract might not preclude them from making a run at another free-agent outfielder, Andruw Jones. The Royals also are bidding for Japanese free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, whose price has risen above $40 million for four years. They presumably could redirect that money toward Jones, but probably could sign him only if he agreed to a shorter deal.The Indians, drawing numerous inquiries on left-hander Cliff Lee, still are undecided about whether they would move him. Lefties such as Lee, Willis and the Giants' Noah Lowry could be attractive alternatives for teams that are unable to get in on Johan Santana and Erik Bedard.The Pirates are aggressively shopping Nate McLouth, who is a popular target for teams looking for left-handed hitters and/or center fielders. McLouth could be a lesser option for the Cubs if they fail to land Kosuke Fukudome, and the Padres, Phillies and Braves also are expressing varying degrees of interest. Guillen's deal with the Royals virtually ensures that free-agent center fielder Aaron Rowand will move beyond the Phillies' price range.
advertisement
